Overview of Nursing Schools in Louisiana
- There are 26 nursing schools in Louisiana. The CCNE accredits 11 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 19 schools in Louisiana.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in Louisiana is between 68.96% and 95.11%.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in Louisiana is between 65.71% and 98.08%.
- The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Louisiana can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
Recommended Nursing Schools for Louisiana
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
About Nursing Schools in Louisiana
The Louisiana Center for Nursing reported that the state currently has 48,300 registered nurses. Even though most of the nurses work in hospitals, employment in hospitals is seeing a decline. Louisiana nurses can seek employment in physician’s offices as well as positions in long-term care. In Louisiana, a majority of nurses are over the age of 50 and will be retiring in the near future. Over time, there will be a strong demand for more nurses to fill the void. It is because of this that more qualified applicants are being accepted into both ADN and BSN degree programs.
In our Louisiana RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Louisiana RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.
In the State of Louisiana, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.
BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Louisiana RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
---|---|---|
Number of Nursing Programs | 12 | 16 |
Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 88.95% | 87.88% |
NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 68.96% to 95.11% | 65.71% to 98.08% |
Best Ranked RN Programs in Louisiana
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Louisiana and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 12 ADN degree programs and 13 BSN degree programs in Louisiana. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Louisiana to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.
Best Nursing Schools (BSN) in Louisiana
- Fransciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
- University of Holy Cross
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- McNeese State University
- Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Science Center
- Southeastern Louisiana University
- University of Louisiana Monroe
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Nicholls State University
Fransciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Pass Rate
- 5414 Brittany Dr, Baton Rouge, LA - 70808
- (225) 526-1700
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 99.01%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor
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University Information
Total Faculty: 89
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 92%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,991
Percent Admitted: 47%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 42%
Graduation Rate: 38%
University of Holy Cross
Pass Rate
- 4123 Woodland Drive, New Orleans, LA - 70131-7399
- (504) 394-7744
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 98.45%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
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University Information
Total Faculty: 69
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,300
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 93%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,239
Percent Admitted: 53%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 9%
Graduation Rate: 38%
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Pass Rate
- 104 University Circle, Lafayette, LA - 70503
- (377) 482-1000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.71%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 718
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $10,346
Book and Supplies: $1,300
Percent Received Aid: 96%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $9,319
Percent Admitted: 67%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 35%
Graduation Rate: 51%
McNeese State University
Pass Rate
- 4205 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA - 70605
- (337) 475-5000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.53%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 258
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,380
Book and Supplies: $1,300
Percent Received Aid: 96%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,283
Percent Admitted: 63%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 56%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Science Center
Pass Rate
- 433 Bolivar St, New Orleans, LA - 70112-2223
- (504) 568-4808
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.38%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP
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University Information
Total Faculty: 856
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: N/A
Average Grant or Scholarship: $2,922,823
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: N/A
Southeastern Louisiana University
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Pass Rate
- 548 Ned McGehee Ave., Hammond, LA - 70402
- (985) 549-2000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.31%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 513
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,289
Book and Supplies: $1,300
Percent Received Aid: 97%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,295
Percent Admitted: 97%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 44%
Graduation Rate: 40%
University of Louisiana Monroe
Pass Rate
- 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA - 71209-0000
- 3183421000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.35%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN
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University Information
Total Faculty:
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: N/A
Average Grant or Scholarship: N/A
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: N/A
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Pass Rate
- 175 Sam Sibley Drive, Natchitoches, LA - 71497-0002
- (318) 357-6011
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.30%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 320
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,672
Book and Supplies: $1,300
Percent Received Aid: 98%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,774
Percent Admitted: 95%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 37%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Nicholls State University
Pass Rate
- University Station La Hwy 1, Thibodaux, LA - 70310
- (877) 642-4655
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.93%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN
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University Information
Total Faculty: 268
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $7,946
Book and Supplies: $1,300
Percent Received Aid: 98%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,369
Percent Admitted: 93%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 40%
Graduation Rate: 45%
Best Nursing Schools (ADN) in Louisiana
Louisiana Tech University
Pass Rate
- 1310 West Railroad Avenue, Ruston, LA - 71272
- (318) 257-2000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 98.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 391
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $10,065
Book and Supplies: $900
Percent Received Aid: 99%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $9,148
Percent Admitted: 64%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 41%
Graduation Rate: 61%
South Louisiana Community College
Pass Rate
- 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA - 70506-4109
- (337) 521-9000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.80%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 154
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,300
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 94%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,119
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 28%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Pass Rate
- 175 Sam Sibley Drive, Natchitoches, LA - 71497-0002
- (318) 357-6011
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.90%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 320
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,672
Book and Supplies: $1,300
Percent Received Aid: 98%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,774
Percent Admitted: 95%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 37%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Louisiana Delta Community College
Pass Rate
- 7500 Millhaven Rd, Monroe, LA - 71203
- (866) 500-5322
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 89
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,220
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 94%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,310
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 14%
Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC)
Pass Rate
- 201 Community College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA - 70806
- (866) 217-9823
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 149
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,300
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 89%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,349
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 27%
Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC)
Pass Rate
- 6220 East Texas, Bossier City, LA - 71111-6922
- (318) 678-6000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 119
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,300
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 90%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,867
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 20%
Louisiana State University of Alexandria
Pass Rate
- 8100 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, LA - 71302-9121
- (318) 445-3672
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 86
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $6,884
Book and Supplies: $14,024
Percent Received Aid: 94%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,829
Percent Admitted: 64%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 26%
Graduation Rate: 31%
Delgado Community College
Pass Rate
- 615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA - 70119
- (504) 671-5000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.20%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 321
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 90%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,223
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 9%
Additional Listings for Louisiana Nursing Schools
Grade
|
University
|
Louisiana Rank
|
Degree
|
---|---|---|---|
87.60 | Fletcher Tech CC | 9 | ADN |
86.10 | LSU Eunice | 10 | ADN |
83.30 | Southern Univ Shreveport | 11 | ADN |
87.02 | Southern Univ Baton Rouge | 10 | BSN |
72.08 | Louisiana College | 11 | BSN |
64.41 | Dillard Univ | 12 | BSN |
Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Louisiana
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Louisiana
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Louisiana offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Online NP Programs Liked by Louisiana Nurses
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Louisiana RN Licensing Requirements
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: (225) 755-7500
Website: http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/
Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $142.50
License renewal, RN: $80-$105 depending on date or renewal
Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs: Five, 10, or 15 contact hours every year, based on employment
RN Licensure by Exam
Prior to graduation, nurses should begin the steps towards licensure. The candidate will apply to the board and register to Pearson VUE, which is the company that administers the NCLEX exam. The exam can be scheduled after the candidate receives the authorization to test (ATT). The Louisiana State Board of Nurses may grant candidates a temporary permit when they registered with Pearson. In the case the candidates fail an examination the permit will become no longer valid. If clinical work was completed in Louisiana, fingerprints will not be required. The only online program for initial licensure that is accepted is Excelsior College. This requires a $100 application fee and $42.50 fingerprinting fee as well as the $200 NCLEX exam. Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX will be required to complete a retake request along with a $100 money order.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Nurses who have obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states may obtain licensure in Louisiana by endorsement. There is a $142.50 application fee for the endorsement if the application is sent in by mail. The fee will increase to $152.50 if the application is brought in and fingerprints are done on site. Candidates who wish to work under a temporary permit will have to pay $192.50 for mailed in applications and $202.50 for applications turned in on site. In case of a disaster or emergency, out-of-state nurses may be granted a disaster permit to work as a volunteer or paid employee.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
International registered nurses are required to take the CGFNS qualifying exam unless the NCLEX has already been passed. Candidates may also be required to take the TOEFL to prove English competency.
RN Salaries in Louisiana
Nurses in Louisiana earn a median annual salary of almost $62,000. The salary increases with education and experience. Nurses who have obtained a bachelors degree or higher are likely to be more experiences with:
- Administration and leadership positions
- Researching statistical data
- Positions dealing with ethics
- Writing and implementing policy
An RN to BSN degree program can be completed in about 12 months. This is dependent on the program the nurse chooses. The programs are designed to meet the need of busy nurses to help encourage more baccalaureate prepared nurses.
Louisiana Registered Nursing Salaries
The New Orleans metropolitan area has the largest amount of registered nurses employed than any other area in Louisiana. It should not come as a surprise then that the same area has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.